Phone sirens startle millions as government rolls out real-time warning system | India News
People show their mobile phones during a nationwide trial of the new ‘Cell Broadcast Alert System’ in Patna on Saturday
The phones rang. The screen flashed. A passenger lunges for the emergency chain. The theater audience froze. Patients hold the chair. With tensions already on edge in West Asia, many feared the worst as confusion engulfed cities – before relief began minutes later.Millions of users across India received a piercing “extremely severe alert” around 11.45am on Saturday, followed by a repeat minutes later – part of a nationwide trial of a new cell broadcast-based disaster warning system.The message was unequivocal: no action required. The response was anything but. At a children’s play at Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre, as many as 40 phones rang simultaneously, startled families queuing up for a performance. On a suburban train, a passenger tried to pull the emergency chain before others intervened.
Phone sirens were annoying to some and scary to others
In hospitals and clinics, alarms go off through consultations, shaking patients.“I immediately turned off my phone thinking it was some bug,” said a resident of Bandra. A visitor to Borivli recalled the horrified people. “It was annoying to some and scary to others.”Across the state, similar scenarios played out. In Bhubaneswar, many feared hacking or cyber attacks before reading further.“I thought my phone was under attack, then felt relieved,” said one resident. In Bengaluru, users mistook it as a heatwave or earthquake warning before clarity emerged. In Lucknow, a pharmacist said several devices blared together, causing a brief panic.In New Delhi, Kanika Sharma, 29, a teacher at a private school, said the sudden buzz at brunch was an exercise in understanding what had initially sparked fears of global tension. “The tension in West Asia was the first thing that came to my mind… This system could be useful in an emergency,” he said. Others expressed confusion over repeated warnings. Abhishek Dogra, 33, an IT professional from Jasola in southeast Delhi, said his entire family’s phones rang at once. “We were worried at first, then realized it was a test. It is a good step, but test messages should be clearly marked,” he said.Authorities later confirmed that it was a planned test by the National Disaster Management Authority and the Department of Telecommunications, which launched a real-time public warning system.Unlike SMS, cell broadcast technology pushes alerts simultaneously to all devices within a defined area, overriding silent and do-not-disturb settings.No internet, apps or subscription required.Alerts appear as full-screen pop-ups with a loud siren, which temporarily disables other phone functions.The system, built on an indigenous platform known as SACHET and linked to global alert protocols, is already operational across all states and union territories. Officials said it has so far enabled more than 134 billion SMS alerts in multiple languages for weather and disaster alerts.Saturday’s drills were aimed at testing reach, speed and public reaction. Messages were sent in English and Hindi as well as regional languages to enhance comprehension. Not all devices received alerts, highlighting gaps. Some users have reported that one phone rings and the other next to it is silent – a reminder of the ongoing calibration. Officials said the system will be used for industrial hazards such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, lightning and gas leaks. Geo-targeting will allow alerts tailored to specific districts or neighborhoods.In Bihar, authorities are planning follow-up preparedness exercises with blackouts and civil defense drills later this month to build public awareness. “It has created awareness among people,” said a senior official.(Input from New Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad)
